28 CFR Parts 35 and 36 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Notice of Withdrawal of Four Previously Announced Rulemaking Actions

C. Next Generation 9-1-1

On July 26, 2010, the Department published an ANPRM announcing the Department’s intention to consider a rule to revise the ADA title II regulation to address how Public Safety Answering Points, which provide 9-1-1 services at the local level, can shift from analog telecommunications technology to new internet-Protocol-enabled Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) services that will provide voice and data (such as text, pictures, and video) capabilities. 75 FR 43446. The Department has not published any rulemaking document regarding NG 9-1-1 since the 2010 ANPRM.

The Department is evaluating how best to address the accessibility of NG 9-1-1 services in light of changing circumstances. With the increased adoption of NG 9-1-1, the Department is evaluating whether regulatory action is necessary and appropriate to promote the increased availability of text to 9-1-1 services to improve access for people with communication disabilities. Accordingly, the Department is withdrawing the previously announced ANPRM entitled ‘‘Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services; Accessibility of Next Generation 9-1-1’’ (RIN 1190-AA62) (75 FR 43446).